Leeds Rhinos top-10 greats - No 7 Mick Shoebottom

He joins Eric Harris (in 10th spot), Joe Thompson (nine) and John Atkinson (eight) on our countdown.

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Number seven: Mick Shoebottom.

In terms of sheer rugby talent, there have been few players to match Leeds-born Shoebottom.

At home as a full-back, centre or scrum-half, he made the biggest impression at stand-off, forming an electric play-making partnership in the 1960s and early 70s with another local lad, Barry Seabourne.

Shoebottom learned his trade with the Bison Sports amateur club, was signed by Leeds after one trial match in the reserves and made his debut, aged 17, against Doncaster at Headingley on February 24, 1962, scoring a try in a 34-8 win.

That was the first of 117 touchdowns in 288 games for the club before his career was cut tragically short in a home Championship play-off against Salford on May 1, 1971.

He suffered a severe head injury scoring a try midway through the first half and never played again.

Shoebottom - who also kicked 52 goals for Leeds - was 26 and not yet at his peak when he pulled a blue and amber jersey on for the final time.

In his nine years with Leeds he was a Yorkshire Cup winner twice - in 1968 and 1970 - and also featured in Leeds’ 1968 Challenge Cup, 1969 Championship and 1970 BBC Floodlit Trophy final triumphs.

At international level, he played in all three Tests against Australia on the 1970 Lions tour, featuring at centre and full-back and being part of the last Great Britain team, so far, to win the Ashes.

A tough defender, when he had the ball his speed, ability to avoid tackles and split defences and a sharp tactical brain enabled him to play to a high standard anywhere in the back division and made him a vital cog of one of the Loiners’ most exciting eras.

He was also an outstanding finisher, a proven match-winner and firm fans’ favourite.